Process of preserving wood



(No Model.)

. J. R; BATE. PROCESS OF PRESERVING WOOD.

Patented July 3,1894

UNITED STATES:

PATENT OFFICE;

JAMES R. BATE, or CINCINNATI, OHIO.

PROCESS OF PRESERVING.WOOD.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 522,284, dated July 3, 1894.

Application filedJune 24, 1892. Serial No. 437,809. (No specimens.)

To aZ Z whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, JAMES R. BATE, a subject of the Queen of Great Britain, residing at Cincinnati, in the county of Hamilton, State of Ohio, have invented certain new and use 'ful Improvements in Processes of Preserving pertains to make and use the same, reference being had to the accompanying drawing, and to the lettersof reference marked thereon, which forms a part of this specification.

This invention relates to an improved pro cess for drying, toughening and preserving wood, and consists in a certain method, as will. be hereinafter more fully set forth, the essential features of which being pointed out particularly in the claim.

The object of the invention is to provide means for so treating wood, that it may be qulckly and perfectly dried, and rendered durable and tough, for the purpose of making. excelsior, or for other purposes, when toughness and endurance are required. This obect is attained by the method hereinafter described, and illustrated in the accompanying drawing. Referring to the letters of reference, 'Adeslgnates a dry-kiln of any desired construction, prov1ded with a ventilator B at the top, and havlng around the walls, thereof, the steamheatlng pipes 0. Upon the floor of said kiln 1s a suitable track upon which a truck or car may be run for supporting the lumber D within the kiln while being treated.

E designates a steam boiler, the drum of whlch is connected through the pipe a with the pipes 0 within the kiln, and through the branch pipe 1), coupling a and pipe I) with the interior of the kiln. The steam that is admitted to the heating pipes 0 being controlled by the valve 01, and that which'enters the interior of the kiln, by the valve e in the pipe I).

F designates an auxiliary boiler, which is in communication'with the interior of the kiln, through thepipes f, b. The pipe f being provided with a stop valve 2'. In this boiler is placed about one gallon of oil, with sufficient water to make the requisite amount of steam for treating one kiln of lumber.

G designates a furnace suitable for the combustion of chemicals, and which communicates with the kiln through the pipe h and the pipe 19', the pipe I: having the valve 0 therein.

wood. The steam from the boiler E is then shut off from the interior of thekiln by closing the valve e, and the steam from boiler F, impregnated with oil, is admitted to the interior thereof by opening the valve 2', whereby the wood becomessaturated with this oil im bued steam, which, permeating the capillary apertures of the wood, tough'ens and strengthens its fiber. After which treatment, this oil ladened steam is turned off, and the wood is subjected to the fumes and gases from the combustion of chemicals in the furnace G, which chemicals are carbon, chloride of sodium, and sulphur, and their proportions are 'about as follows:carbon, eight per cent;

chloride of sodium, four per cent; and sulfur, eighty per cent. This compound is burned in the furnace G, the product of which is carried' into the kiln through the pipes h, b and so acts upon the wood as to bleach it or restore it to its natural color, and preserve the fiber thereof. By this improved process, green wood may be rendered lit for working into excelsior in comparatively but few hours, that with the ordinary process would require weeks to accomplish, and by means of its toughened condition is rendered highly superior for this purpose. Where dry wood is being treated,

the first step of admitting steam directly thereto from the boiler E may be omitted.

Having thus'fully set forth my invention, what I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is

The process of preserving wood fiber,which consists in first placing the wood in a suit In testimony whereof Iaflix mysignature in ably heated kiln, end subjecting it to the dipresence of two witnesses. rect action of 011 imbued steam and a solu- JAMES R. BATE tion of soda-ash 01' analogous alkali; then 5 subjecting said wood to the action of gases \Vitnesses:

produced by the combustion of carbon, chlo- E. S. WHEELER, ride of sodium and sulfur. H. R. WHEELER. 

